Hospital parking – a stealth tax too far

17/07/2008

I empathise with Peter Nassan (MT June), and I am sure with thousands of others regarding the disgraceful parking charges levied on the sick and their relatives by NHS hospitals.

 

This is another not-so-stealthy tax levy by a government seemingly becoming ever more greedy and determined to find ways to increase the tax burden. They say that more money is spent on the NHS than ever before. Perhaps this is true but how much is for the benefit of patients and how much for the administrators?

 

It appears to me that, as in most areas of government, the word “efficiency” does not exist in the NHS. I too have to visit my local hospital on a regular basis and I try to park and walk rather than face charges. This despite back and heart problems.

 

The proposal of 'polyclinics' would, I think, increase the expense for patients to travel to their 'local' clinic and cause more to use their cars to get there for treatment by a stranger, and the next time by a different stranger perhaps. So much for the vaunted “green agenda!”

 

I would be prepared to bet (part of) the worst State pension in Europe that these megalithic structures will cash in on inflated parking charges.

 

 

Peter Smith